A clergyman has called for a charity Full Monty event to be called off, arguing it is immoral and "encouraging lust".

Inspired by the ITV programme The Real Full Monty that aired last month, the show in Herne Bay will see men and women strip off to raise money for a range of cancer charities on August 11.

But Father Kevin St Aubyn of the Our Lady Immaculate Church in Whitstable fears it is "contrary to Christian modesty" and could "have a dangerous effect on people".

“From a Catholic point of view, we all have to wrestle with our sexuality and impure thoughts for the whole of our lives,” he said.

“In the sexual area, we can all be very weak and this would just be titillating us. Morally, I think it is the wrong thing to do.

“It could incite young people to work up their desires, so young couples may decide to have intercourse. In Christian teaching, sex before marriage is fornication.”

Father St Aubyn said he thought the “purpose is perfectly laudable” but criticised the way in which the money will be raised.

He added: “If I was selling drugs to raise money for charity the purpose would be fine, but the means would be wrong.”

Organiser Gary Russell hit back at Father St Aubyn’s claims, saying he was “making a mountain out of a molehill”.

“All of this was taken from the programme that was on ITV, so if it’s been put on television I can’t see the problem with it being put on stage,” he said.

“The same kinds of shows are happening all over the country.

“We’re raising awareness of testicular, prostate and breast cancer, which take so many lives. It’s surely a good thing if we can help people get checked.

“We’re still going to go on with the show. It will be ticketed, there will be security and under-18s won’t be allowed in.”

The event will see a team of males and another of females, aged between 20 and 74, stripping off at Herne Bay Pier.

Eight women and six men have signed up for the performance and the first of their rehearsals took place at the weekend.

"It could incite young people to work up their desires, so young couples may decide to have intercourse" - Father St Aubyn

“We’re happy with the numbers we’ve got at the moment,” Mr Russell continued.

“This is the first bit of opposition to the event I’ve heard of.

"Everyone seems to be extremely up for it because it’s for a great cause.”

Mr Russell hopes to raise about £7,500, which will be shared between the four charities.

To donate, visit Mr Russell’s Cancer Awareness Updates page on Facebook.